The group stages are coming to a conclusion at the Women’s World Cup and the round of 16 is starting to take shape for several Gunners players, while a few of them will be on their way back home.
Earlier on Monday, Spain’s 4-0 defeat to Japan brought Group C to a close which means that Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz’s Switzerland will meet Spain in Saturday’s opening Round of 16 tie, while Frida Maanum’s Norway will face Japan later on Saturday morning.
The big drama came later on. Australia had to win against Canada to qualify for the knockouts and they delivered against Canada with Caitlin Foord starting and Steph Catley captaining the side. Cloe Lacasse and Sabrina D’Angelo started on the bench for Canada.
Caitlin Foord was moved back to the left wing for the Matildas and that Arsenal flavoured left side bore fruit for the hosts, with Foord and Catley combining to tee up Hayley Raso’s opener.
Calm and collected from Hayley Raso to give Australia an important lead over Canada 👏
pic.twitter.com/tuoB0nQ4ec— Her Football Hub (@HerFootballHub) July 31, 2023
Raso made it 2-0 later in the first half. Cloe Lacasse came on at half-time for Christine Sinclair but couldn’t help Canada turn the tide. Catley and Foord combined on the left once more as Foord teed up Mary Fowler to make it 3-0.
It's not the cleanest of strikes!
Australia are 3-0 up and cruising towards the last 16.#FifaWWC #CAN v #AUS pic.twitter.com/M7ZLHxzGLz
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 31, 2023
Then Catley scored a stoppage time penalty to make it 4-0 and make Arsenal the current top scorers at the tournament. Australia are through, Canada are out.
🇦🇺 The Matildas enjoyed that one!
Australia have destroyed Canada.#FifaWWC #CAN #AUS pic.twitter.com/0FflLZHY4E
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 31, 2023
Katie McCabe again captained Ireland, whose elimination was sealed on match day two. They took on Nigeria and drew 0-0 which was enough to send the Super Falcons to the Round of 16.
Tomorrow sees England’s Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy take on China where a draw or better would tee up a round of 16 tie with Nigeria. Kathrine Kuhl and Denmark take on Haiti aiming to qualify for the round of 16 too.
Just to clarify, do the match officials check the length of the girls nails, I would not like getting a poke in the eye from Canada’s Leon?? (For Example) 🥸 🇦🇺
While I’m sorry Canada got pasted so thoroughly it was great seeing Catley and Foord just killing it. Arsenal top scorers at the Cup so far! Bring on the season, please!
They were a-maz-ing today! The understanding that they have is beautiful to watch. Good to see Australia being as good as they looked pre-tournament.
It’s handy having links to both countries. The homeland took the victory – well done Catley, Foord and the Tildas!! But if it wasn’t the case I could have donned the red and white of my adopted country for the rest of the tourney.
Ireland got a point and a goal – not bad for your first WWC for a small population country.